From CHFS: Staff COVID-19 Testing Frequency Map

From CHFS: Staff COVID-19 Testing Frequency Map & Explanation

When CHFS contracted with several labs across the Commonwealth, they initially recommended COVID-19 testing 50% of all facility/community staff members each week. In addition, CHFS recommended testing any resident who was either symptomatic or had been exposed to a staff member who had tested positive for COVID-19.

Effective September 24, 2020 an update to the testing frequency was made. The new recommended testing frequency is based on a map divided by county and color coded according to the numbers of positive cases in each county. The map at https://chfs.ky.gov/cv19/LTCCountyMapLatest.pdf will be updated every two weeks and will show any change in the recommended frequency for testing ALC and PCH staff.

For your reference, https://chfs.ky.gov/cv19/LTCFSurveillanceTestingFAQs.pdf is the CHFS FAQ document regarding surveillance testing for staff and residents. See the following question and answer provided in the LTCF Surveillance Testing FAQs:

How frequently should testing occur? The frequency of testing was initially tied to county-specific COVID-19 positivity rates. Effective September 24, 2020, test frequency will be based on the CHFS “Kentucky Long-Term Care Facility COVID-19 County Indicator” map.  Procedure: 1. On the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month after 8 pm ET, the Provider checks the map for the most current color assigned to the county in which the site is located. 2. Tiers: each color is associated with a testing frequency to begin on the following Monday.

Tier I. Yellow + Green - Test staff Bi-Weekly (includes ICF-IID, PC and ALC Providers, regardless of county)

Tier II. Orange  - Test staff Weekly

Tier III. Red  - Test staff twice per Week

NOTE: The map will be archived daily for future reference, but recommended practice is to print the map on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays after 8 pm ET to include in the Provider’s documentation related to testing frequency compliance.

The newly posted map for reference by LTC providers regarding COVID-19 testing schedules for the current time period can be viewed at: https://chfs.ky.gov/cv19/LTCCountyMapLatest.pdf. This reflects the seven days through last Wednesday and bears last Thursday's date (10/8/2020).

An updated map will be included in each weekly eBlast you receive from KSLA. We'll pass on any additional information as we receive it.